Pope Leo XIV has spoken with a priest at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City following the start of the Israeli military’s ground offensive aimed at conquering the city, Vatican News reported on Tuesday.
Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See’s Press Office, said that Pope Leo expressed to Father Gabriel Romanelli, an Argentine-born priest, his concern about what’s happening in Gaza and assured him of his “closeness and prayers.”
Romanelli and other Catholic clergy and nuns have decided to stay in Gaza City despite Israeli evacuation orders to help displaced Palestinians sheltering at the church.
Bruni said that Romanelli told Leo that the parish “continues to assist the approximately 450 people who have taken refuge there and those who turn to them, distributing meals and water and keeping the internal pharmacy open.”
Romanelli added that “the oratory also continues its activities, serving children and young people and providing assistance to the elderly and sick, despite the escalating conflict.” Palestinians are also sheltering at the nearby St. Porphyrius Orthodox Church, and the clergy there will remain despite Israel’s evacuation orders.
The Holy Family Church was struck by an Israeli tank shell in July, which killed three Christians and wounded several others, including Romanelli. Despite the danger, Romanelli and the parishioners continue to hold daily Mass and prayers and post pictures and videos on Facebook on a daily basis. In many videos, loud explosions can be heard that shake the church.
Pope Leo has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and now appears to be in regular contact with the church, like his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. The Vatican News report said that Leo has called Romanelli several times to express his closeness.
